Ergonomic Assessment Flashcards
Ergonomics
The study of efficiency in workplace.
-subcategories of efficiency of physical movements in workplace by designing and arranging things so that the people work safely and effectively.
-how the body reacts to physical demands of the workplace
-looking at the environment and equipment used and seeing if we can decrease the risk of injury
-can be considered in high labour-intensive jobs, medium labour-intensive jobs, or low labour-intensive jobs
Many kinesiologists can specialize in ergonomic assessments for companies or use biomechanics backgrounds to specialize in ergonomic designs.
Can also find jobs completing job demand analysis for companies, especially those with labour intensive or repetitive movement job duties
Ergonomic Assessment
Any type of assessment that considers biomechanical, postural, and physical demands from job duties.
Common ergonomic assessments include Rapid upper limb assessment (RULA), rapid entire body assessment (REBA), lifting techniques, desk/workspace positioning, customized occupational testing (job demand analysis, functional capacity evaluations).
Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA)
Assess biomechanical and postural load requirements of job tasks/demands on the neck, trunk, and upper extremities through posture, force, and repetition.
-section A = arms and wrist
-section B = neck and trunk
Gives out risk factors for musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs).
-1-2 = no risk, no action needed
-3-4 = low risk, some change might be needed
-5-6 = medium risk, further investigation and change will be needed soon
-6+ = high risk, implement a change now
Benefits of RULA
Can give you accurate risk assessments for musculoskeletal injuries.
Can help identify issues causing chronic pain.
Straightforward and easy to use.
Limitations of RULA
Need to evaluate person doing actual job task
-this is best done in the work environment, not a clinic
Developed with research in 1980s.
Uses manual observation which can oversimplify movements.
Focuses on tasks for service or healthcare, not as useful for manufacturing or engineering.
Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA)
Tool to access whole body postural demands and risks for MSDs associated with job demands.
Assesses wrists, forearms, elbows, shoulders, neck, trunk, back, legs, and knees.
Gives risk level for MSDs and when to implement changes to workplace/ergonomic set up.
-1 = no risk, no action required
-2-3 = low risk, change may be necessary.
-4-7 = medium risk, further investigation and change may be needed soon
-8-10 = high risk, investigate and implement change
-11+ = very high risk, implement change immediately
Benefits include REBA
Can be helpful risk assessment for musculoskeletal injuries
Assesses whole body movements
Straightforward and easy to use
Limitations of REBA
Only assesses one posture at a time.
Does not consider the duration or the task, or other movements such as vibrations.
Does not combine left and right scores so no way to assess risk of whole body accurately.
Not recommended for manual handling or small manipulation tasks.
Lifting Techniques
Very common to see this covered in workplace ergonomics.
Many forms will exist from different occupational health and safety companies.
-all are accurate and are designed to reduce risks of workplace related injuries due to improper lifting techniques.
Improper lifting causes 75% of back injuries in the workplace.
Teaching proper lifting techniques can help reduce musculoskeletal injury risk by >50%
-reduces paid time off or sick leave
-reduces burden on healthcare system
-reduces need for disability pay
Desk Positioning
Large portion of the working population works from desks (either within the workplace or from home).
Growing number of chronic pain and postural changes from ergonomic while sitting at desk.
Ergonomic assessment can be helpful to reduce postural load.
Chair position
Chair arms should be positioned where arms rest at 90 degree bend at elbow.
Chair should be high enough for thighs to be parallel to floor and feet flat on the ground (add foot rest if needed).
Back should be supported by the back of the chair.
Desk Position
Should be at a height that one can easily rest arms and reach for all necessary equipment.
Monitor position
Top of monitor should be at eye level, allows for natural head tilt.
Close enough and bright enough to see clearly without straining eyes.
Limited head turning should be needed to see screens (such as using double monitors).
Keyboard and mouse position
Use external keyboard and mouse for laptops or tablets.
Limited wrist bend and arms should be able to rest on desk.
Sitting vs Standing Desks
Both are good and need ergonomic set ups
Standing desk benefits include ability to move more.
Other desk options include ergonomic chairs, stability ball chairs, treadmill desks.
Advice for Desk Workers
Ergonomic set ups (both sitting and standing desks).
Take movement breaks,
Strengthen muscles such as rhomboids, mid and lower traps, neck extensors, deep core.
Stretch tight muscles such as pec major and minor, neck flexors, upper traps, forearms, hip flexors, piriformis, hamstrings, gastrocnemius/soleus
